On Mon, 17 Jun 2002 10:57:16 GMT, "Joe T." wrote:

>I'm just curious what the next level up in terms of professional quality is
>from the Sony VX-2000 (which I consider along with its pro-version brother
>(PD-150?) as the best of the current breed of DV cameras based on real world
>testing. I like the Sony VX-2000 first, the Panasonic PV-951 close-second
>(great camera), and all the other krap third (including all the canon
>XL/GL-whatevers.....they're toys )
>
>I'm curious, what does anyone that shares my real world experience with the
>VX-2000's phenomenal quality consider as the next step up in terms of price
>and quality? I'm considering getting a Sony DVCAM to replace my VX-2000's
>since budget allows for it now. Thanks!

Not sure I agree with the assessment of the
non-Sony/Panasonic Mini-DV entries (much as
some think I would...;-), but I do consider
the VX2000 the best of the consumer-"prosumer"
grade of cameras for picture quality. There is
little or no practical advantage in using DVCam
instead of Mini-DV, unless you MUST minimize
dropout possibilities (and can accept the shorter
recording times). The PD150 offers the same
picture as the VX2000, and can shoot both
Mini-DV SP and DVCam, preserving at least some
ability to record long sessions continuously
on tape. It also offers built-in XLR mic
connectors and phantom power, if these are
useful to you, and a sharp B&W eyepiece-VF.
For more, see:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm
Other possibilities (though these switch you
from a small/light/excellent-auto-controls/
poor-manual-controls style of camera to a
heavy/large/poor-auto-controls/excellent-
manual-controls style of camera): the JVC 500
and Panasonic 200. These may not gain you any
real picture-quality gains, though (especially
the Sony 250, which has the same "front-end"
as the VX2000, and more auto controls and less
lens flexibility than the others). From there,
you can move upwards in the Sony and JVC lines
for specific needs, but you will gain less in
picture quality improvement than you will gain
in weight/size/price/inconvenience-of-use.
I do not recommend any of these changes, if
you are happy with the VX2000 unless the
change is made for specific reasons - but if
you are really going to sell your VX2000, do
contact me...!;-)